a Web Quest by
Andrew S. Basler
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Teachers | Credits
Dinosaurs were huge reptile like creatures that lived more than 65 million years ago. Digging up fossils and remains from these creatures help us learn about what the world was like back then, and how life, as it exists today, formed. People who dig up dinosaur fossils are called paleontologists. In this web quest, you will learn all about where dinosaurs are found and what the finds mean. In addition, you will get an opportunity to search the internet for information about dinosaurs.
Task:
You will be divided into groups. Each group will complete the process below to learn about dinosaurs. One person needs to be the recorder for the group and write down answers to the questions you will be asked. At the end of class, you will turn in your answers to be graded. Also, you will engage in a class discussion on what you learned.
1. First, you will watch the IMAX dvd T-Rex Back to the Cretaceous. This movie will give you some background on the study of dinosaur fossils.
2. After the movie, you will be broken up into groups of no more than five. Each group must have access to a computer. You will use the following directions as a guide to learn about dinosaurs. Remember to name one member the recorder. The recorder will write down both questions and the groups answers on a paper to turn in to the teacher.
3. Begin your journey by clicking on the link and use the website to answer the following questions: BBC Dinosaurs Site
4. Now click on the link and answer some more questions about the history of what we know: E
5. Now, you will use the above websites and your own Internet searches to compose a short paragraph answering the following question: "Who are paleontologists, what do they do, and why is their work significant?" You may want to complete your own internet searches using the Google Search Engine and the keywords "Paleontologist, dinosaurs, fossils" etc.
6. After completing the above questions, you will turn in your sheet to the teacher. Your grade will be based on both the content of your answers, and the teamwork of the group.
You will be evaluated based on the following rubric:
| Evaluation Rubric | Possible Points | Self-Assessment | Teacher Assessment |
| Complete all steps of process | 25 |
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| Teamwork, all members participated in discussion and contributed to the group. | 25 |
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| BBC Website questions, 5 questions worth 5 points apiece. | 25 |
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| Dinosaur Discovery website question, 3 questions worth 5 points apiece | 15 | ||
| One short answer question worth 10 points total. | 10 | ||
| Total Possible Points |
100 |
Studying dinosaur fossils is very important to science. Learning about past life makes us more knowledgeable about the broader connections between species, which helps with medicine, research science, and other important fields. People who study fossils and dinosaurs are paleontologists. Paleontologists have not always agreed on theories about dinosaurs, and as a result, there are still many unsolved mysteries. Solving these problems will help us gain an understanding of ourselves and our own future.
Grade Band: 6 - 12
Tennessee State Curriculum Standards: Biology 1 and Life Science
6.1 interpret and evaluate the evidence for biological evolution in the fossil record.
6.2 investigate how natural selection, mutation, and adaptation impact a species.
6.3 recognize the contributions of scientists, including Darwin, to the concept of evolution.
Integrations: genetics/inheritance of traits, diversity of life, mathematics/calculations, graphing and time lines, microscopy, physical science, geology, populations, history, genetics, geography, earth science, bacteria, disease
Preceding and Ensuing Events of Instruction: Before beginning the Web Quest the teacher should show the IMAX dvd T-Rex: Back to the Cretaceous. This movie will give students some background knowledge on dinosaurs and the history of paleontology. For the process, the students must be divided into groups of no more than five, with each group having access to the internet. The exact process is vague for a purpose. The teacher has more freedom to dictate the details according to time and grade level. For example, the class discussion is not mandatory to meet the curriculum standards. After the Web Quest is complete, the teacher will have to grade the papers that each group hands in. To find the answers to the questions, the teacher must review the web sites for answers. In addition to finding the answers, the teacher will be well acquainted with the sites the students will be exploring and will be better prepared to answer questions or help the students search. Often to find the answers, the students will have to explore all areas of the provided sites.
Learning Improvements and Purpose of Web Quest: The purpose of this web quest is to introduce students to the study of dinosaurs, fossils, and the role of paleontologists, to improve student internet skills, to promote the internet as a useful research tool, to promote teamwork through group activities. The students will also learn critical thinking skills by applying what they learn to writing a short paragraph on paleontology. The teacher may also want to integrate this web quest into the other studies listed under Integrations.
BBC. (2002). Dinosaurs. Retrieved April 8, 2004 from http://bbc.co.uk/dinosaurs/
Encyclopedia Britannica. (2003). Retrieved April 8, 2004 from http://search.eb.com/dinosaurs/dinosaurs/grid.html
Google. (2004). Search Engine. Retrieved April 8, 2004 from http://www.google.com
Warner Brothers, (1998). T-Rex: Back to the Cretaceous [dvd]. Imax: Toronto, Canada.